HRO is a good place to purchase a radio, depending on the sales they are having....
As for the test, i really used QRZ.com and took the test many times... It cycles through the questions pool that will be on the test.... I also took the test for General because it costed nothing extra to do so when you test.. To my surprise i actually passed.

I did read the book, but got a great deal out of repeatedly taking the tests on QRZ, and learning what the correct answers were....

What license should I be looking at for personal use? Novice? No-Code?

Technician, although as Neil states you might as well take the test for the General license while you are at it...No additional cost if taken right after you pass the Technician test

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo

Can someone assist me with prep for the exam? Where can I go to take the exam

Follow what Neil said...Read the book(s) and take the sample tests, LOTS of times....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo

And how much time do you think it would take to get this all done? And what happens if I just go get the darn 2M and use it? No frequency?

Time? If you studied hard, took lots of sample tests, and had a good base knowledge of some of the underlying principles I bet you could study for a week and pass the test...For many of us we went through the RS class which was multiple weeks (4-5 classes) and culminated in the test.

After you pass it can take 2-4 weeks to actually get your license and even though you passed the test and might even have the gear installed, until you have been assigned a call sign you cannot legally transmit. You can listen all you want though which can help to pick up the protocol.

As for what happens if you just get the gear and use it...Don't but in case you are tempted to do so the likelihood is that you will get reported and if the FCC finds you they can fine you, jail you, and take your equipment. That said, in an emergency you can use the HAM regardless. Learning to use the equipment is important though because it isn't like CB where you just turn the dial to a channel and chat.

Here was an interesting thread on using a HAM radio without a license: